Speedometer Cleaning and Repair
By Brian Mason

This is the information that guage shops don't want you to know. Symptom, your odometer doesn't work, your speedo whines, the needle  jumps all over the place. Whatever the problem I'm gonna show you how to fix it. Sorry about the blurry pics took some of them with my cell phone.

Detach and mark all wires from the speedo. Remove the speedo via the two screws on the sides.

Now take off the fuel gage vibrator, fuel gage and bulbs. The vibrator has one screw at the bottom, fuel gage has one on each side and the bulbs just pull out.

Pry around the top edge of the speedo with a flat blade screwdriver and remove the glass face.

There are two screws holding the back of the speedo on. Remove these along with the back of the speedo. Now remove the needle as you can see there is a mark for proper alignment. (Note Be careful when removing the needle as with age it will be brittle)

Next take a look at your light gels. If they are in bad shape replace them. They can be replaced with those little file folder tabs just be sure to double up on them so the bulb won't show through.

Let's take a look at the most common problem with the VW speedo. The odometer drive gear. in later models this is made of plastic and with age they will crack but, they are easy to replace. Just pop the old gear off and pop on a new one I got lucky my gear  is brass. I think I saw these gears at cip1 at one time if not a guage shop could get one for you.

Remove the screws holding the back of the speedo on and remove the back.

Now take a look at the odometer weels and drive gears if they are worn or cracked replace them.. They should just pop out

Then take apart the back housing.

I cleaned my speedo with silicone lube and canned air WD-40 will work too. (Note the silicone lube will eat through the paint so be careful not to get it on painted surfaces)

All taken apart your speedo should look like this.

We can now lube everything up. Using a good grease, grease all moving parts using q-tips.

Now put everything back together reverse of removal. Tap the speedo face back on with a small hammer.

While your at it you might wanna clean the fuel gage. Bend the tabs on the gage to get to the guts of the fuel gage. Clean the fuel gage as you did the speedo. (Note be careful not to bend the needle) Same with the vibrator.

Done!!!

If you have any questions feel free to email me.